Gere stated that the current global political and economic situation requires reflection on the choice of leaders.
"As an American, I am deeply ashamed of the president we have," Gere declared, urging the audience to ensure that "bad guys" are not world representatives again.
During his talk, part of the FIL Pensamiento program and accompanied by the Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena, Gere showcased his environmental activist side. The actor described Trump as a leader with difficulties in managing anger and exhibiting "childish behavior."
Gere emphasized that the American president is not a "mature human being" or someone with emotional intelligence, behaving "like a child" with impulse control issues. The actor argued that anger "does not lead us anywhere" and suggested that Trump should be treated "like a child."
The 76-year-old activist expanded his criticism to other world leaders, stating that the world not only suffers from "bad players" like Trump but also from the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Gere claimed that these leaders have accumulated a lot of power despite being on the "wrong side of history, the wrong side of the present, and also the future." He called on everyone to rise and be responsible, not from hatred or anger, but from "wisdom and compassion."
In a show of support for Mexican politics, Gere applauded President Claudia Sheinbaum for "how she is capable of dealing with this man" (Trump).
The actor, involved in environmental defense projects, spirituality, and humanitarian work (including Tibet and a close relationship with the Dalai Lama), also shared details about his environmental work. Through his foundation, Gere collaborates with coastal communities in the town of Xala, Jalisco, implementing projects for residents to protect and conserve their territories.
Hundreds of people lined up for hours to attend the talk at the world's largest Spanish-language book fair, filling the Juan Rulfo auditorium, which was expanded to accommodate nearly a thousand people. Gere is scheduled to hold an additional talk on Friday at the city's cineteca, followed by the screening of the documentary Wisdom of Happiness, of which he was a producer.